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A song for each picture # 5

No time quite like the holidays to eat and be merry, is there? Hope you're all having a good start to the year. I am down with a cold, which serves me right for not sleeping much over the last couple of weeks. As is the case with most holidays, I made some time to catch up on reading (that pile of magazines gets taller every month), and came across an intriguing related piece in Departures Magazine by American Express (my experience has been their travel advice seldom misguides). From Mumbai: Bollywood 101 of the October 2008 issue themed 'India Now', which also notes a fantastic memorabilia store in Chor Bazaar, here's an amusing and perhaps typical but appeasing introduction:

Releasing some 200 Hindi movies a year and with an audience in the billions, Mumbai’s Bollywood film industry is an international phenomenon. The typical flick is a hyperbolic, three-hour singing-and-dancing fairy tale in which good always triumphs over evil, and while the over-the-top movies certainly have their detractors, their influence on global fashion, language, rituals, and aspirations cannot be denied.

Also revisited some of my favorite classics; Steamboat Willie(1928) by Walt Disney is certainly one of them. The cartoon is available at this YouTube link, and is still every bit as delightful as it was when I first saw it as a 1980s kid. The question: Which Bollywood song(s) does a merry Mickey remind you of? Your favorite tunes to whistle along to, perhaps?

The boat and music improvisation reminds me of 'Pyar Ki Kashti Mein' from Kaho Na Pyar Hai. And I guess the first song with whistling that comes to mind is 'Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai' from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (and I think Kajol's on a boat too).

Intros about Bollywood always strike me as strange - like its some exotic beast whose very existence needs to be justified! Maybe its because I grew up with it, I just dont think of Hindi movies as singing-n-dancing fairytales. But then, what I think of Hollywood musicals is a lot worse, so I shouldnt talk!

Shweta: Awesome! LOL at the Kishore hairdo and Mickey ears comment. The song actually fits in well, there are even a few seconds of "Horn pukaare" in Steamboat Willie! Lovely song from a fun film!

Bollyviewer: The holidays were great. Hope you had a great time off as well! Yes, I guess those of us who grew up with Hindi films know it to be untrue. Perceptions on the other side are often very stereotypical.

Check out the title to this NY Times review of Jodhaa Akbar, for instance. Or Danny Boyle, who's made a very successful Slumdog Millionaire with Bollywood actors and musicians, saying of the film (from here):

“No, no, no, it’s not a Bollywood film. It’s a good story. It’s a narrative.”

So Bollywood does not have good stories or narratives? Really? There's such ignorance even at that level. :(

Ref: the cartoon, isn't it amazing that they used synchronized sound back in 1928?! In my world, 'Old is Gold' certainly applies to cartoons as well!

Right on! LOL...I guess it could have been worse. It almost appears to mock the song and dance component at the very outset.

I wonder if it's a microcosm of the opinions of the majority who haven't seen a good Hindi film, and who aren't really motivated to see any because of the way they are often advertised ('fairy tales', 'no narratives', and the like).

hi TBF...had some free time so visited you blog...always a treat...I am like a child who got his fav chocolate!! this picture reminds me of the song Main zindagi ka saath nibhaata chala gaya...maybe becos you of the whistling..I know I am very very late on the response..like almost a year late LOL!

Always a pleasure to have you comment here, Gina. And I'm almost a half-year late on this reply! (Sincerest apologies.) Thank you, and hah, your comment just gave me an idea on songs to whistle to, good call! ;)

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